2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport accommodated five passengers, while the L trim offered a three-row, seven-passenger configuration. The design, which had been refreshed in 2020, maintained a modern and sporty appearance, standing out with its aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The RX's exterior featured sharp character lines and angular elements, creating a striking yet balanced design. The F Sport trim, in particular, added a performance-oriented look with 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia, enhancing its sporty appeal.

Inside, the RX continued the luxury theme with a variety of color combinations and materials, including NuLuxe synthetic leather and semi-aniline leather options. The F Sport trim added sporty touches like Scored Aluminum trim and model-specific badging. Despite the high-quality materials, the center stack felt somewhat dated, and the abundance of buttons could be overwhelming. Comfort was a mixed bag, with the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim lacking cushioning and lumbar support. The limited-edition Black Line trim offered a high-end look with exclusive features and a limited production run, appealing to those prioritizing style over performance.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, in contrast, offered a unique blend of style and technology to stand out in the minivan segment. Available in LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims, the Carnival's pricing ranged from $33,100 to $46,200, with our test vehicle in SX Prestige trim priced at $49,285. The Carnival's design was both attractive and upscale, with high-tech lighting and intricate grille details. Inside, the dual instrumentation and infotainment screens added sophistication, while the interior materials provided a quality feel. The Carnival's ride quality varied depending on the load, offering a firm, sporty feel when lightly loaded and a softer ride with a full passenger load.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX was AWD only. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added features like adaptive suspension and sport steering, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was rated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with the hybrid RX 450h achieving 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival's FWD setup provided a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. While lacking AWD and hybrid options, the Carnival's V6 offered ample power, and the transmission performed smoothly. The Carnival's brakes were generally reliable, though they experienced fade during a mountain descent. The ride quality was firm and sporty when lightly loaded, softening with a full passenger load. Overall, the Carnival was satisfying to drive, though the Honda Odyssey offered a more athletic experience.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, though the cargo area had a high load-in height.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior design resembled an SUV, with a lower driving position and SUV-like center console. The Carnival offered three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX Prestige trim. The test vehicle featured a three-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added convenience, though the latter limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, with USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival's cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row, with a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet when the second-row seats were removed.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned atop the center stack, creating ergonomic challenges. The infotainment system included voice commands and a touchpad, though the latter was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a sophisticated presentation. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. The Carnival's tech package included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, though it was underutilized by teenagers during testing.

The 2022 Lexus RX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional headlights, but it received four stars overall from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring standard across all trims. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System added unique safety elements. The EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Carnival was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for 2022, though the NHTSA had not tested it at the time of review.